1. To encourage those currently in church leadership as well as all others who identify themselves as evangelical Anabaptists and who feel that their perspective is not adequately represented in denominational and institutional leadership.

2. To inform the rising generation of leaders of the issues facing the contemporary Anabaptist community and to provide opportunities for education and ministry training from a distinctly evangelical Anabaptist point of view.

3. To speak prophetically to the contemporary Anabaptist community, including denominational and agency leadership and the academic community, in an effort to articulate evangelical Anabaptist convictions in a positive and intellectually credible manner.

For reference, here is the statement of faith that guided them.

Statement of Faith

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, authoritative, written Word of God.

2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, at once fully divine and fully human.  We believe in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His present ministry of intercession, and His personal return in power and glory.

4. We believe that human beings were created in the image of God but rebelled against God and are therefore fallen, lost, estranged from their creator, and in need of salvation.

5. We believe that only those who, in repentance and faith, receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are converted, born again of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God.

6. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and enables the Christian to pursue a life characterized by personal holiness and faithful discipleship in obedience to Jesus Christ.

7. We believe that the Church, the "body of Christ," is composed of all those of every nation who through saving faith have entered into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.  We further believe that the Church is at the very center of God's cosmic purpose, and that He has committed to the Church and every member of it the task of making Christ known throughout the world.

8. We believe that local congregations of baptized believers exist to equip the body of Christ--through such means as worship, teaching, fellowship and prayer--to spread the Gospel of Christ; to extend the influence of the Kingdom of God in the world; and to turn themselves outward to their local communities in evangelistic witness and compassionate service.

9. We believe that the reality of sin in the human heart results in suffering, injustice, strife, and moral decay in society.

10. We believe that, in Jesus Christ, the way of love and reconciliation is revealed as God's way for His people and that the people of God are called to value the sanctity of human life, alleviate suffering, oppose injustice, refrain from force and violence, work for peace in all relationships, and to live as responsible stewards of all of God's creation.

11. We believe in the resurrection of all people, those who are saved unto the resurrection of everlasting blessedness with the Lord, and those who are lost to eternal separation from God.

12. We believe that, in the fullness of time, God will bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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